Match Review

The Wests Tigers form slump has continued massively with a 48-4 loss to the Sydney Roosters at a wet and cold Leichhardt Oval in front of just over 5,000 fans.

Despite a poor opening 10 minutes, the first half for the Tigers was quite promising with the Roosters being able to put just the one try on the board and that came after just four minutes, when Michael Jennings found open space chasing a Mitchell Pearce kick to score his 100th career try and the first of the night from the Roosters. The try was followed up shortly after by a penalty goal from close range and the Roosters took an 8-0

The Wet conditions played havoc with the attack of both sides with plenty of drop balls and plays not going 100% correctly.

The usual 40/20 confusion reared its head again following a Luke Brooks 40/20, when Blake Austin took the quick tap at the 10m junction instead of the 20m junction and was called back by Gavin Badger, again questioning the validity of the rule.

The second half was one of hope and optimism for the Tigers who showed glimmers of getting into the game, however it wasn't to be with the Roosters putting the gearbox into full gear and racing away.

This was shown from their first set of six where they managed to force a repeat set and off the repeat set they scored through a barnstorming Sam Moa and that pushed the lead out to 14-0.

From there, the Tigers only possession of the ball was at the kick off because the Roosters began to steam roll the Tigers, and this resulted in a quickfire double to Anthony Minichello, a lucky Jared Warera-Hargreaves try off some sloppy clean up work at the back from the Tigers then thirdly Shaun Kenny-Dowall took advantage of some disinterested defence to score from dummy half to push the score out to 36-0.

The Roosters then managed to get another try this time to Daniel Tupou who got a fortunate bounce after Jy Hitchcox couldn't take a high kick and he raced over for his try of the night.

It wasn't all doom and gloom for the Tigers debutant, when Jy Hitchcox found himself in space off a Tigers short side raid and he got his first career try to take the score to 42-4.

The last try of the night summed up the way the Roosters played when Mitchell Pearce took two juggles of a pass before a falcon helped him to regather the ball and score, and after Maloney converted the Roosters secured their 48-4 win.

Next weekend, the Wests Tigers come up against a resilient Bulldogs team on Thursday night at ANZ Stadium, whilst the Sydney Roosters make the trip across the ditch when they take on the NZ Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium.